Egyptian propolis and selenium nanoparticles against murine trichinosis: a novel therapeutic insight.

Trichinosis is a serious zoonotic disease that causes human morbidity and mortality. New effective natural remedies with minimal side effects that are well tolerated are needed to treat both enteral and parenteral trichinosis. This study evaluated the efficacy of selenium (Se), Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Egyptian propolis compared with albendazole as antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents for treating murine trichinosis. We used parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical assays, as well as scanning electron microscopy, to examine adult worms. Overall, 80 Swiss albino male mice were divided into eight groups, with ten mice in each group, as follows: negative control, positive control, albendazole, propolis, Se, combination of propolis and Se, SeNPs and combination of SeNPs and propolis. Mice were slaughtered seven and 35 days after infection to examine the intestinal and muscular phases, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of the combination of SeNPs and propolis. As revealed by electron microscopy, this combination caused damage to the adult worm cuticle. Additionally, compared with albendazole, it resulted in a significant reduction in adult worm and total larval counts; moreover, it caused a decrease in the number of larvae deposited in muscles, with a highly significant decrease in the inflammatory cell infiltrate around the larvae and a considerable decrease in the expression of the angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor in muscles. In conclusion, the combination of SeNPs and propolis had antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects on trichinosis. Consequently, this combination could be used as a natural alternative therapy to albendazole for treating trichinosis.

High- versus low-dose proton pump inhibitors post endoscopic hemostasis in hemodialysis cases with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Post-endoscopic hemostasis treatment is not adequately addressed in high-risk patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) with emergency peptic ulcer bleeding. This study aimed to compare post-endoscopic high- versus low-dose proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for peptic ulcer bleeding in patients undergoing regular HD. This prospective study comprised 200 patients on regular hemodialysis having emergency peptic ulcer bleeding confirmed at endoscopy and managed with endoscopic hemostasis. Half of the patients received high-dose intensive regimen and the other half received the standard regimen. Patients who were suspected to have recurrent bleeding underwent a second endoscopy for bleeding control. The primary outcome measure was rate of recurrent bleeding during period of hospitalization that was detected through second endoscopy. Rebleeding occurred in 32 patients ; 15 in the High-Dose Cohort and 17 in the Low-Dose Control (p = 0.700). No significant differences between the two dose cohorts regarding the time of rebleeding (p = 0.243), endoscopic hemostasis mode (p = 1.000), and need for surgery (p = 0.306). The highdose regimen Inhospital mortality in high-dose group was 9.0% compared to 8.0% in the low-dose group (p = 0.800). Apart from the pre-hemostatic Forrest classification of ulcers, there were no significant differences between patients with re-bleeding ulcers (n=32) and those with non-rebleeding (n=168). Rebleeding was more common in class Ia, i.e. spurting bleeders (p < 0.001). Endoscopic hemostasis followed by the standard low-dose PPI regimen of 40 mg daily IV boluses is safe and effective option for bleeding peptic ulcers in the high-risk patients under regular hemodialysis.

Ruptured Superficial Femoral Artery Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm after 30 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic pseudoaneurysms are a complication of vascular reconstructive surgery with the majority in the femoral region. Although rare, ruptured femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms have high mortality and require emergency surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old male with a history of a left leg crush injury was treated with a superficial femoral artery interposition vein graft 30 years ago. He presented nowadays with a three-day history of severe pain in his left thigh. CT angiography demonstrated a ruptured anastomotic pseudoaneurysm with contrast extravasation into an intramuscular hematoma. He had significant scarring from his previous surgeries which made the leg hostile for an open repair. Therefore, percutaneous access selectively cannulated the left iliofemoral vasculature. An angiogram showed a distal superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Subsequently, two 10mmx15cm Viabahn covered stents (Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) were placed bridging healthy superficial femoral artery. A completion angiogram demonstrated no extravasation into the pseudoaneurysm. The patient recovered and was discharged home two days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Ruptured femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms are traditionally repaired with open pseudoaneurysm excision and arterial reconstruction, although endovascular repair has been reported. Furthermore, most femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms form less than 10 years after initial operation. We present a unique case of ruptured superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, 30 years after the initial operation. Endovascular stents offer effective treatment for ruptured anastomotic pseudoaneurysms.

Ruminal pH predictions for beef cattle: Comparative evaluation of current models.

This study evaluated 8 empirical models for their ability to accurately predict mean ruminal pH in beef cattle fed a wide range of diets. Models tested that use physically effective fiber (peNDF) as a dependent variable were Pitt et al. (1996, PIT), Mertens (1997, MER), Fox et al. (2004, FOX), Zebeli et al. (2006, ZB6), and Zebeli et al. (2008, ZB8), and those that use rumen VFA were Tamminga and Van Vuuren (1988, TAM), Lescoat and Sauvant (1995, LES), and Allen (1997, ALL). A data set of 65 published papers (231 treatment means) for beef cattle was assembled that included information on animal characteristics, diet composition, and ruminal fermentation and mean pH. Model evaluations were based on mean square prediction error (MSPE), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and regression analysis. The prediction potential of the models varied with low root MSPE (RMSPE) values of 4.94% and 5.37% for PIT and FOX, RMSPE values of 9.66% and 12.55% for ZB6 and MER, and intermediate RMSPE values of 5.66% to 6.26% for the other models. For PIT and FOX, with the lowest RMSPE, approximately 96% of MSPE was due to random error, whereas for ZB6 and MER, with the highest RMSPE, 15.85% and 23.42% of MSPE, respectively, was due to linear bias, and 37.19% and 60.12% of the error, respectively, was due to deviation of the regression slope from unity. The CCC was greatest for PIT (0.67) and FOX (0.62), followed by 0.60 for LES and TAM, 0.52 for ZB8, 0.39 for MER, 0.34 for ALL, and 0.22 for ZB6. Residuals plotted against model-predicted values showed linear bias (P < 0.001) for all models except PIT (P = 0.976) and FOX (P = 0.054) and mean bias (P < 0.001) except for FOX (P = 0.293), LES (P = 0.215), and TAM (P = 0.119). The study showed that the empirical models PIT and FOX, based on peNDF, and LES and TAM, based on VFA, are preferred over the others for prediction of mean ruminal pH in beef cattle fed a wide range of diets. Several animal (BW and intake), diet (forage and OM contents), and ruminal (ammonia and acetate concentrations) factors were (P < 0.001) related to the residuals for each model. We conclude that the accuracy of prediction of mean ruminal pH was relatively low for all extant models. Consideration of factors in addition to peNDF and total VFA, as well as the use of data from studies with continuous measurement of ruminal pH over 24 h or more, would be useful in the development of improved models for predicting ruminal pH in beef cattle.

Identification of Acinetobacter clinical isolates by polymerase chain reaction analysis of 16S-23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid internal transcribed spacer.

BACKGROUND: The genus Acinetobacter is a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria involve at least 33 species using the molecular methods. Although the genus Acinetobacter comprises a number of definite bacterial species, some of these species are of clinical importance. Therefore, it is of vital importance to use a method which is able to reliably and efficiently differentiate the numerous Acinetobacter species. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify Acinetobacter of clinical isolates from Assir region to the species level by 16S-23S intergenic spacers internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S-23S intergenic spacer sequences (ITS) was performed using the bacterium-specific universal primers. RESULTS: Based on the 16S-23S intergenic spacers (ITS) of rRNA sequences, all isolates tested were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii. The isolates shared a common ancestral lineage with the prototypes A. baumannii U60279 and U60280 with 99% sequence similarities. CONCLUSION: These findings confirmed 16S-23S rRNA ITS for the identification of A. baumannii of different genotypes among patients.

Infections with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus among hematopoietic SCT recipients: a single center experience.

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 39 hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) recipients who presented at our hospital between 1 October 2009 and 31 January 2010 with the 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. The median age at presentation was 13.8 years (range: 3.3-56.9), infections developed at a median of 585 days (range: 0-2316) post transplant, the majority (n=27, 69%) occurred in allogeneic HSCT recipients, 12 (31%) patients were on immunosuppressive therapy and 12 (31%) had GVHD. Lower airway disease was present in 8 patients (21%). In total, 15 patients (39%) were hospitalized with a median duration of 4.5 days (range: 3-27 days) and 3 (8%) required mechanical ventilation; 2 of whom died.

Special issues related to hematopoietic SCT in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the first regional activity report.

Although several centers are now performing allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) in the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) region, the availability is still limited. Special issues including compatible donor availability and potential for alternative donor programs are discussed. In comparison to Europe and North America, differences in patterns of diseases and pre-HSCT general status, particularly for patients with BM failure, are described. Other differences including high sero-positivity for CMV, hepatitis B and C infection, and specific observations about GVHD and its relation to genetically homogeneous communities are also discussed. We report that a total of 17 HSCT programs (performing five or more HSCTs annually) exist in 9 countries of the EM region. Only six programs are currently reporting to European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation or Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research. A total of 7617 HSCTs have been performed by these programs including 5701 allogeneic HSCTs. The area has low-HSCT team density (1.56 teams per 10 million inhabitants vs 14.43 in Europe) and very low-HSCT team distribution (0.27 teams per 10 000 sq km area vs <1-6 teams in Europe). Gross national income per capita had no clear association with low-HSCT activity. Much improvement in infrastructure and formation of an EM regional HSCT registry are needed.

Effects of Cymbopogon citratus L. essential oil on the growth, morphogenesis and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus ML2-strain.

The mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus Link was completely inhibited using 1.5 (microl/ml or 2.0 (microl/ml of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil applied by fumigation or contact method in Czapek's liquid medium, respectively. This oil was found also to be fungicidal at the same concentrations. The sublethal doses 1.0 and 1.5 (microl/ml inhibited about 65% of fungal growth after five days of incubation and delayed conidiation as compared with the control. Microscopic observations using Light Microscope (LM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) were carried out to determine the ultra structural modifications of A. flavus hyphae after treatment with C. citratus essential oil. The hyphal diameter decreased and hyphal wall appeared as precipitates and disappeared in some regions. This oil also caused plasma membrane disruption and mitochondrial structure disorganization. Moreover, Ca(+2), K(+) and Mg(+2) leakages increased from the fumigated mycelium and its total lipid content decreased, while the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids increased. One of the most important results obtained during this study was the ability of C. citratus essential oil at its sublethal dose to completely inhibit aflatoxin B(1) production from A. flavus. These findings increase the possibility of exploiting C. citratus essential oil as an effective inhibitor of biodegradation and storage contaminating fungi and also in fruit juice preservation.

Effects of Cymbopogon citratus L. essential oil on the growth, lipid content and morphogenesis of Aspergillus niger ML2-strain.

The mycelial growth of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem was completely inhibited using 1.5 (microl/ml or 2.0 (microl/ml of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil applied by fumigation or contact method in Czapek liquid medium, respectively. This oil was found also to be fungicidal at the same concentrations. The sublethal doses 1.0 and 1.5 (microl/ml inhibited about 70% of fungal growth after five days of incubation and delayed conidiation as compared with the control. Microscopic observations using Light Microscope (LM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) were carried out to determine the ultra structural modifications of A. niger hyphae after treatment with C. citratus essential oil. The hyphal diameter and hyphal wall appeared markedly thinner. This oil also caused plasma membrane disruption and mitochondrial structure disorganization. Moreover, Ca+2, K+ and Mg+2 leakages increased from the fumigated mycelium and its total lipid content decreased, while the saturated fatty acids decreased and unsaturated fatty acids increased. These findings increase the possibility of exploiting C. citratus essential oil as an effective inhibitor of biodegrading and storage contaminating fungi and in fruit juice preservation.

Generalized essential telangiectasia with conjunctival involvement.

Generalized essential telangiectasia (GET) is a rare skin disorder characterized by generalized development of dilated venules, which start at the lower extremities and progressively spread to the rest of the body. Mucous and conjunctival involvement is rare. The diagnosis is based on clinical examination, after excluding other primary and secondary causes of telangiectasia.

Effect of Cymbopogon citratus L. essential oil on growth and morphogenesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ML2-strain.

The growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was completely inhibited using 2.0 microl/ml or 4.0 microl/ml of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil applied by fumigation or contact method in Sabouraud's broth medium, respectively. This oil was found also to be fungicidal at the same concentrations. The sublethal doses 1.0 and 3.0 microl/ml inhibited about 98% of yeast growth after 24 hr of incubation as compared with the control. Microscopic observations using Light Microscope (LM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) showed morphogenic and ultrastructure changes in the fumigated cells with 1.0 microl/ml of the oil. These changes including decrease in cell size, depressions on the surface of the cells, alteration in cell wall thickness and disruption of plasma membrane. Moreover, Ca(+2), K(+) and Mg(+2) leakages increased from the fumigated cells and its total lipid content decreased. Also, the fatty acid composition was altered with decrease in the amount of saturated fatty acids and increase in the amount of unsaturated fatty acids.

Antimicrobial activity of some essential oils against microorganisms deteriorating fruit juices.

Seventeen microbial species including 10 fungal taxa, two yeasts and five bacteria, were isolated from freshly prepared orange, guava and banana juices kept in open bottles at room temperature for 7 days. Eight different essential oils, from local herbs, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against these test organisms. The essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum basilicum and Origanum majorana were found to be highly effective against these microorganisms. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the most prevalent microorganisms in juice, showed the highest resistance against these essential oils. GC-MS analysis showed that while e-citral, a'-myrcene, and z-citral represent the major components (75.1%) of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus; bezynen,1-methyl-4-(2-propenyl), 1,8-cineole and trans-a'-bisabolene were the main components (90.6%) of Ocimum basilicum; whereas 3-cyclohexen-1-01,4-methyl-1(1-methylethyl)-(CAS), c-terpinene and trans-caryophyllene represent the major components (65.1%) of Origanum majorana. These three essential oils were introduced into juices by two techniques namely, fumigation and direct contact. The former technique showed more fungicidal effect than the latter one against A. flavus, A. niger, and S. cerevisiae. The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus by comparison to other test oils showed the strongest effect against these fungi with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.5 µl/ml medium and a sublethal concentration of 1.0 µl/ml. The antimicrobial activity of this oil is thermostable at 121℃ for 30 min.

Use of propolis and ultragriseofulvin to inhibit aflatoxigenic fungi.

Propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) at 3 and 4 g/L and ultragriseofulvin (UG) at 0.75 and 1 g/L reduced the percentage of conidia germination in two Aspergillus flavus isolates. PEE at 1-4 g/L decreased the mycelial dry mass of A. flavus isolates by 11-80%, and aflatoxin B1 production by 34-100%. UG concentrations of 0.25-1 g/L reduced the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of the isolates by 16-88 and 48-98%, respectively. Any increase in PEE and UG concentration was accompanied by a clear decrease in the per cent conidia germination, growth and aflatoxin B1 production. At equal concentration, UG was about 4-times more effective than PEE.

Relationship between external and internal parameters of exposure to manganese in workers from a manganese oxide and salt producing plant.

In a plant producing manganese (Mn) oxides and salts, 11 different workplaces were identified. The current exposure to airborne Mn (total dust, personal sampling, n = 80) varied from 0.07 to 8.61 mg/m3. The geometric mean and median values amounted approximately to 1 mg/m3 and the 95th percentile was 3.30 mg/m3. The concentration of Mn in blood (Mn-B) in a group of 141 Mn-exposed male workers ranged from 0.10-3.59 micrograms/100 ml compared to 0.04-1.31 micrograms/100 ml in a group of 104 control subjects. The ranges of the concentrations of Mn in urine (Mn-U) were 0.06-140.6 and 0.01-5.04 micrograms/g creatinine for the exposed and control groups, respectively. The average level of Mn-B in the Mn group was more than twice as high as in the control group (arithmetic mean, 1.36 vs 0.57 microgram/100 ml) and that of Mn-U was ten times higher in the Mn group (geometric mean, 1.56 vs 0.15 microgram/g creatinine). The Mn-B level did not change significantly after 8 h of Mn exposure, whereas the Mn-U level dropped rapidly when exposure ceased (half-life less than 30 h). On an individual basis, neither Mn-B nor Mn-U correlated with the current levels of Mn-air or duration of Mn exposure. There was also no relationship between Mn-B and Mn-U. On a group basis, there was no correlation between the mean Mn-B levels and the current levels of Mn-air at each workplace.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epidemiological survey among workers exposed to manganese: effects on lung, central nervous system, and some biological indices.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out among 141 male subjects exposed to inorganic manganese (Mn) in a Mn oxide and salt producing plant (mean age 34.3 years; duration of exposure, mean 7.1 years, range 1-19 years). The results were compared with those of a matched control group of 104 subjects. The intensity of Mn exposure was moderate as reflected by the airborne Mn levels and the concentrations of Mn in blood (Mn-B) and in urine (Mn-U). A significantly higher prevalence of cough in cold season, dyspnea during exercise, and recent episodes of acute bronchitis was found in the Mn group. Lung ventilatory parameters (forced vital capacity, FVC; forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1; peak expiratory flow rate, PEFR) were only mildly altered in the Mn group (smokers) and the intensity and the prevalence of these changes were not related to Mn-B, Mn-U, or duration of exposure. There was no synergistic effect between Mn exposure and smoking on the spirometric parameters. Except for a few nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, tinnitus, trembling of fingers, increased irritability), the prevalence of the other subjective complaints did not differ significantly between the control and Mn groups. Psychomotor tests were more sensitive than the standardized neurological examination for the early detection of adverse effects of Mn on the central nervous system (CNS). Significant alterations were found in simple reaction time (visual), audioverbal short-term memory capacity, and hand tremor (eye-hand coordination, hand steadiness). A slight increase in the number of circulating neutrophils and in the values of several serum parameters (ie, calcium, ceruloplasmin, copper, and ferritin) was also found in the Mn group. There were no clear-cut dose-response relationships between Mn-U or duration of Mn exposure and the prevalence of abnormal CNS or biological findings. The prevalences of disturbances in hand tremor and that of increased levels of serum calcium were related to Mn-B. The response to the eye-hand coordination test suggests the existence of a Mn-B threshold at about 1 microgram Mn/100 ml of whole blood. This study demonstrates that a time-weighted average exposure to airborne Mn dust (total dust) of about 1 mg/m3 for less than 20 years may present preclinical signs of intoxication.

Purification and characterization of camel liver glutathione S-transferase.

Glutathione S-transferases have been purified (18-fold) in 65-70% yield from the liver of one humped camel using affinity chromatography on glutathione-linked agarose. Chromatofocusing technique resolves the glutathione S-transferases into seven distinct isoenzymes with apparent pI of 8.7, 8.4, 8.0, 7.8, 7.3 and 6.5. The major isoenzyme (pI 8.7) which accounted for over 95% of the total activity was composed of two identical subunits of molecular mass 24,000 and was immunologically similar to the other six isoenzymes. The substrate specificities and the effect of various inhibitors on the activity of the abundant camel liver isoenzyme were also examined.

Influence of manganese on the gastrointestinal absorption of cadmium in rats.

Four groups of male rats were given the following oral treatment: control group (n = 20) deionized drinking water, Mn group (n = 20) deionized drinking water containing 56 ppm Mn2+ (1 mmol/l), Cd group (n = 10) deionized drinking water containing 112 ppm Cd2+ (1 mmol/l) and Cd + Mn group (n = 10) deionized drinking water containing 112 ppm Cd2+ and 56 ppm Mn2+. Half of each group was sacrificed after 4 weeks and the other half after 8 weeks of treatment. At each time interval, the mean levels of Mn in blood, in urine and in the various tissues did not differ between the control and Mn groups. Furthermore, comparable Mn levels were found after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Microscopical examination of the brain failed to reveal any overt morphological alteration in the Mn group. With respect to the control group, the Cd and Cd + Mn groups exhibited increased levels of Cd in blood, urine, liver, whole kidney, kidney cortex and in brain (cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia), but the Cd + Mn groups showed invariably lower levels than the Cd group after 4 weeks as well as after 8 weeks. These results suggest that the rate of gastrointestinal absorption of Cd is decreased by supplementation of the drinking water with a 'non-toxic' dose of Mn2+.

Preclinical toxic effects of manganese in workers from a Mn salts and oxides producing plant.

The results of the present epidemiological study among 141 workers (mean age: 34 years) from a Mn salts and oxides producing plant in Belgium suggest that preclinical perturbations (lung function, CNS, biological parameters) may occur in subjects exposed to airborne Mn levels (7 years on the average) usually lower (total dust, geometric mean about 1 mg/m3, 95th percentile 3.3 mg/m3) than the levels actually (5 mg/m3) tolerated.

Experimental evidence for the occurrence in honey of specific substances active against microorganisms.

Numbers of micro-organisms in sewage, soil, air and tap-water counted on media containing honey were lower than those counted on the same media containing equivalent concentrations of the sugars known to occur in honey. Similar experiments achieved with specific micro-organisms showed that honey had more pronounced inhibitory effects than the equivalent sugar solutions on Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum, but not on Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These results are understood in view of the occurrence in honey of specific compounds active mainly against Gram negative bacteria and higher fungi.